The pioneer South-West Youth Leader of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Dare Adeleke, has lauded the Allied Progressive Movement (APM) presidential candidate and Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, for his commitment to the development of Nigeria, emphasising that the governor’s leadership prioritises youth empowerment and economic growth.
Speaking with newsmen at the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Concert on Monday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, Hon. Adeleke said the people have seen what members of the APM have to offer in terms of good governance and youth inclusion, as demonstrated by Governor Makinde’s administration in Oyo State. He said this is the reason many people are moving from other parties, such as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord, to the APM.
“The proverb says, ‘Whoever goes into a house of gold will not want to leave the gold.’ So, those APC members who came into the APM have seen the best of the best being paraded in the party. That is the main reason you saw a lot of them here today.
“You see a lot of youths here today because they believe in what Governor Makinde is doing by giving power to the youths and showing that youths are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the leaders of today,” he said.
He highlighted prominent young leaders, such as Adekanbi, Odidiomo, Shina Peller, Ajadi, and others in the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly, as examples of the success of Governor Makinde’s youth-orientated policies.
“The leaders within the APM understand that they must replicate the governor’s initiatives,” he said.
Speaking further, Hon. Adeleke, who is the Special Adviser on Federal Constituency Matters to the Oyo State Governor, stated that, judging by developments across the country, the APM is gaining momentum while the influence of the All Progressives Congress in the state is waning. He said this is contributing to the movement of APC members to the APM.
The former executive chairman of the Oyo State Transport Company also stated that some local government members had expressed their intention to leave the APC altogether.
He further credited Boye Nation, a prominent supporter of youth empowerment in Oyo State, as a key figure in the political movement.
“Boye Nation has championed the cause of youth development and is truly phenomenal,” he added.
He affirmed that Oyo State has made significant progress under Governor Makinde, particularly in terms of economic development. He praised the governor’s achievements, which he said would be reflected in the leadership of young individuals such as Bimbo Adekanbi.
Concluding his remarks, he said, “The people of Ibadan Southeast are standing with us.”
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
